Safe removal of massive intrapelvic cement using ultrasonic instruments.

The extraction of massive intrapelvic deposits of cement in revision total hip arthroplasty presents the surgeon with a philosophical dilemma and a technical challenge. The cement is difficult to remove because of the disparity between the size of the cement mass and the defect in the acetabulum. In addition, the cement mass lies close to major intrapelvic organs, and the use of force applied with sharp cement-removing instruments poses a danger to these structures. We report on the ultrasonic technique of cement removal used to extract a massive intrapelvic cement deposit safely.